FREEPORT — A teenage boy is in Freeport Police custody after a man was found shot to death in the city Wednesday night.

At about 11:30 p.m., police were in the area of Empire Street and Float Avenue when they heard what they believed to be shots fired. They apprehended a 16-year-old male running from the area and later found a 30-year-old man lying in a yard suffering from a gunshot wound. The man was taken to FHN where he later died from his wounds.

The victim was identified as Carl Green Jr.

“They keep getting younger and younger,” said Josh Sturtevant, whose property was struck by the gunfire, referring to the age of the alleged shooter in this case. “I just bought this building like two months ago.”

Sturtevant was sleeping during the incident and wasn’t aware of what had happened until Thursday morning. Many neighbors nearby did hear the shots but didn’t want to speak on the record about the incident.

The 16-year-old is being held by police as the investigation continues. The case is now in the hands of the Stephenson County state’s attorney who will decide what charges will be filed. Police aren’t releasing the name of the minor until it is decided if charges are coming and whether the male will be charged as an adult.

“If charged as an adult (the 16-year-old’s name) will be released but until then, it’s a juvenile matter and confidential,” said Freeport Deputy Chief Jim Drehoble. “Right now, he’s the only one we have (as a suspect).”

This homicide is Freeport’s fourth of 2013. Adel Ahmed Al-Masmari was killed May 27 while working at the South Galena Avenue Convenience Store; and Timothy McGraw was shot in the jaw June 30 while sitting with his daughter on a neighbor’s porch; and Walter A. Scott was shot in his apartment on Sept. 25.

“Officers happened to be in the area and heard shots being fired,” Drehoble said. “If officers hadn’t been in the area at the time it took place, it’s possible that the subject would have gotten away. It was crucial to the outcome of this case.”

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact the Freeport Police Department at 815-235-8222 or Stateline Area Crime Stoppers at 1-866-847-7669.